Reviews

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  ★★★★½ review by Chris Hormann on Letterboxd

  The lives of two families collide in modern day Italy in this evisceration of the naked power of money and the influence that goes with it. Neatly shaded and subtle performances by the three leading female characters (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi in particular is a haunting study of a woman losing control of everything around her) offsets the male characters who are not as well developed, although Fabrizio Bentivoglio gives a stunning portrayal of a particularly odious middle-class real estate agent, desperate to move in higher circles, whatever the cost.
  
  A morality tale but one which doesn't offer easy solutions for everyone, albeit with a small glimmer of hope in the final reel.

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  ★★★★ review by shahbakht on Letterboxd

  I love these multi-perspective storyline movies and this one is another like that. Fans of Paul Thomas Anderson, Innaritu and to a lesser extent Paul Haggis will find this one very interesting.

  This one is a morality tale involving rich, upper class Italians and how one event breaks the facade of their already crumbling lifestyle. It is about ethics, how much are you willing to protect the ones you care, all told through an intricate storyline. The broken down structure of depicting chronologically concurrent events one after the next works here and information is revealed bit by bit. Previously known facts are shown in a new light and a new perspective on the event is gained. A very well acted, well presented and well edited human drama.

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  ★★★★ review by Cineshots Blog (Jesue Valle) on Letterboxd

  There's something about movies about Italian aristocracy that compel me.

  Human Capital can fit well into a trilogy of sorts that began with I Am Love and last year's The Great Beauty. Though this and the latter didn't really soar in my estimation as high as the former.

  If I Am Love is a romanticised, nostalgic examination of a wealthy Italian family, and The Great Beauty a moody, euphoric observance of an aristocratic decline then Human Capital are these two film's thrilling amalgamation. There's a mystery at the centre and characters progressively reveal themselves and their motivations. The story is told in chapters, based on each character and this structure works really well. It's almost like a mystery novel but with a lavish touch.

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  ★★★★★ review by Lorenzo Giannì on Letterboxd

  And that's how you make movies.

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  ★★★★½ review by Gustaf Ottosson on Letterboxd

  Nr 55 on All Films I Saw 2015 (Ranked)

  Part of Stockholm Film Festival 2014

  Human Capital is a fascinating film. Recycling the classic format of telling the same story from several different perspectives, it still manages to be original and suspenseful. There are examples where films utilities this tool in a way that doesn't enhance the story particularly, but Human Capital really benefits from its narrative structure. Up until the final chapter it is almost impossible to guess what the fate is going to be for the three characters that the story have put most focus on thus far.

  Usually I have a big problem with watching Italian movies, as the language automatically gives me a sensation of overacting. The Italian language is so theatrical that it demands a lot from the actors not ending up in the category of pretentious and bad performances. Somehow the actors in Human Capital succeeds in avoiding that sensation, which is a great achievement. Valeria Bruni Tedeshi is also one of my favorite actresses and her participation is a big plus for me.

  The only criticism I have (that might be unavoidable) is that the movie contains so many dramatic events that it feels like a movie. Even though it is not totally impossible that the events that takes place could happen, it is highly unlikely that they should occur in such rapid succession.

  Very well performed, entertaining and gripping Italian drama.

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